InsideSources: Opinion: H.R. 9 Threatens Property Rights of Inventors, by Richard Pombo
This post originally appeared in InsideSources on August 12, 2015.
Our founding fathers were inspired by one of the greatest minds in history. John Locke’s thoughts and ideas led to the creation of many of the tenets that make the United States of America one of the greatest countries and the greatest economic engine in history.
Life, Liberty and Property, was the basis of Locke’s beliefs. One of the most important protections afforded to the American people is the protection of private property rights guaranteed by our Constitution. That protection of property is what motivates people to work hard and take risks so that they can pass on to their children and grandchildren the fruits of their labor and a chance at a better life.
We have all witnessed the threats to private property protection in recent years coming from an ever growing and intrusive government. Environmental laws have often trampled on the rights of property owners and small businesses have been particularly vulnerable. Large property owners with their team of lawyers, lobbyists and consultants can often times influence the process to work around the devastating impacts that the smaller owners cannot.